On Wednesday, January 29, 2024, retiring Wake Forest Police Chief Jeff Leonard was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award for state service given by the North Carolina Governor. Leonard, a Wake Forest native, is the first town resident awarded this honor. John Lucey, Legislative Director for Governor Josh Stein, presented the award to Leonard during a reception to celebrate Leonard’s retirement from the Wake Forest Police Department after 32 years of service – the last 15 as chief of police. “We’ve had a program this evening filled with folks able to talk about the incredible impact Chief Leonard has been able to have on the town of Wake Forest,” said Lucey. “How our state and governor say thank you to those whose service to their communities goes above and beyond – is induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.” The award is presented

After more than two decades of service to the Town of Wake Forest, Police Capt. Matthew May retired February 1. May’s retirement caps a 25-year career with the Wake Forest Police Department, the last 15 as Police Captain. Prior to being promoted to Captain in 2010, the Wake Forest native served as Police Officer from 2000-2003 and Lieutenant from 2003-2010. He was a graduate of the 242nd session of the FBI National Academy. In 2000, May was awarded the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart after suffering a serious injury in the line of duty. He is succeeded as Captain by Matt Perkinson. ###

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) will host the 2025 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. The event is free and open to everyone. According to a 2023 report, of all US businesses, only 2% are Black-owned, just 6% are Hispanic-owned, and only 5% are women-owned. The HRC’s Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo is designed to increase recognition and opportunities for minority and women business owners in the Wake Forest community. More than 35 local businesses are scheduled to participate, including Aging Care Matters, Ataraxis Travel, Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge, Divine Holistic Wellness, Kwench Juice Café, Remarkable Regenerating Waves, The Makery, White Street Market, and Where in the World Vacations. To view the complete list of participating businesses, visit https://bit.ly/WFMinorityWomenOwnedBusinessExpo.  The 2025 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo promises to bring enterprising professionals

Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC, will offer a free performance of “Empowered, Brilliant, and Brave: Great Women of Black History” Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St.   In honor of Black History Month, the program will introduce audience members to some of Black history’s most inspiring women. Families and children of all ages are invited to attend this free performance, but seating is limited and will be available on a first come basis. “Empowered, Brilliant, and Brave: Great Women of Black History” is part of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre’s “Arts for All” free community performance series, which is supported by United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. For more information, contact Renaissance Centre Specialist Debra Horton at 919-435-9566 or dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov. ###

The Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Historical Museum are partnering to offer free Black History Month Walking Tours of the Northeast Community every Friday in February at 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required by completing the online sign-up form at https://bit.ly/BHMWalkingTours. Space is limited to the first 15 participants to sign up for each tour. Please note: The February 7 walking tour is full. Led by staff from Historic Preservation Planning and the Wake Forest Historical Museum, the tours will include Olive Branch Baptist Church, Alston-Massenburg Center, the newly restored Ailey Young House, the African American Cemetery, and more. Along the way, each group will discuss the developmental and architectural history of the area, along with the significant men and women who shaped the Northeast Community. Tours are outside only and will not include the inside of individual homes or buildings.  Each tour is approximately 90 minutes and will begin

February is Black History Month and American Heart Month, and the Northern Wake Senior Center is commemorating both – along with Valentines Day – by hosting “Heart & Soul – A Paths to Wellness Event” on Thursday, Feb. 13, from noon-4 p.m. Free and open to everyone, the event will raise awareness about the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among the aging population. According to the CDC, “Diabetes is a major chronic disease that affects more than 37 million US adults. Furthermore, almost half of people 65 and older are prediabetic. African Americans are disproportionately affected by the diabetes epidemic with 12.1% having the disease, compared with the 7.4% of the Non-Hispanic White population.” Heart & Soul will include a jazz concert featuring Lynnette Barber, nutritious and heart-healthy snacks, a variety of speakers and vendors, plus demo fitness and Tai Chi classes. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is required by calling

Happy February! We are excited to announce our partnership with the American Heart Association by providing blood pressure monitor kits that check out from the library! Stop by the desk to check one out today. Besides our normal programs at the library, we offer very active virtual book clubs & events. Please see the attached flyers and share as you’d like. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening for adults this month! We look forward to seeing you soon. Wake Forest Library Stitchers Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 12-3 Join us for an afternoon of creativity and community. Bring your latest project and connect with fellow makers who share your passion for all things handmade. Creativity is always more fun when shared with others. Any stitchers welcome!  Free Money to Start or Expand Your Business Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 There are government grants to assist businesses but rarely any to

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is partnering with Wake Forest native Ronald “Skip” Parker to host a “Black History Expo” Saturday, Feb. 15, from noon-4 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St. Free and open to the public, the expo will feature on display many of Parker’s unique and authentic antiques and collectibles from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s, including an 1842 wooden washboard, a vintage 1954 DeLaval stainless steel milk can, antique dolls depicting Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson, and Maya Angelou, and much more. For more information, email Community Center Supervisor James Triplette at jtriplette@wakeforestnc.gov. For information on all of Wake Forest’s Black History Month events, including our Black History Month Walking Tours and Black History Month Honor Roll,” visit https://bit.ly/WFBlackHistoryMonth.  ###

The Wake Forest Woman’s Club is holding a Chili and Soup Dinner fundraiser on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m, at the American Legion Hall Post 187, 225 E Holding Avenue, Wake Forest. Soups offered are Beef Chili, Lentil Chili, Broccoli Cheese, Chicken Vegetable, all homemade! All eat-in dinners are $12.00 and include bowl of soup or chili, cornbread, drink and cookie. Take-out 32-ounce containers may be purchased for $15.00. Dinner tickets and take-out soup can be purchased through the club website at www.wake-forest-womans-club.com The Wake Forest Woman’s Club works to strengthen the community and enhance the lives of others through volunteer service. ###

You’re invited to join Mayor Vivian Jones for the 2025 State of the Town Address & Dinner on Monday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. Presented by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the event will take place at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. During her remarks, Mayor Jones will reflect on the successes and challenges of the Wake Forest community over the past year. She will also outline the goals the Town will strive towards in 2025. Advance tickets are $15 per person and include a catered meal and dinner music by local performing artist Ronald Williams. Tickets can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card at https://bit.ly/WFStateofTown. Tickets may also be purchased at the Renaissance Centre Box Office with cash, check, or credit card. A limited number of tickets are available, so the event is expected to sell out. Dress for